Loke Thye Kee Restaurant is a dilapidated building at the junction of Jalan Burma and Jalan Penang. In its haydays, Loke Thye Kee was one of the most upmarket Chinese restaurant in Penang.
Loke Thye Kee was started in 1919 by two Hainanese brothers where worked as cooks for Penang tycoon Khoo Sian Ewe, whose assets include The Great Wall on Penang Hill.
Khoo Sian Ewe (1886-1964), was the longest-serving president of the Penang Chinese Town Hall (1927-1964) and was also the president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce (1933-1941). A pillar of the early 20th century Penang society, he was a Justice of the Peace, and was on the board of the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi and the Chung Hwa Confucian High School, among others. Khoo Sian Ewe owns most of the land between Jalan Burma and Jalan Phee Choon. Indeed he was the biggest property owners in Penang before the Second World War.
Learning of the desire of his two employees, Khoo Sian Ewe graciously released the two Hainanese brothers from his employment, and even helped them found the restaurant that is Loke Thye Kee. The three-storey restaurant was designed by Penang-born architect Chew Eng Eam, who also designed the Chinese Chamber of Commerce building. The structure is supposed to resemble a steamboat as though afloat in a lake. Like scenes carved out of romance novels, the verandahs act as decks for the guests (or "passengers") to look out onto Burmah Road below. As a result, Loke Thye Kee became a favorite place for matchmaking engagements, where two families come together to "examine the prospect", so to speak. In this game of tact and subtlety, a "yes" or "no" is pronounced by the way tea is drunk.
Loke Thye Kee has been in a dilapidated state for decades. It is an unfortunate eye sore right at the heart of the city. On occassion, wedding couples come here for photoshoots, but apart from that, the restaurant stands forlorn. I remember as a child, my family once brought me here for a meal. I was less than ten years old then, so I can imagine how long this restaurant has been in a disused state. I hope someone will one day restore it to its former glory.
Getting there
Loke Thye Kee Restaurant is located at the start of Jalan Burma. From the Komtar Bus Terminal, walk along Jalan Tek Soon to Jalan Penang. Cross Jalan Penang and turn right. Walk along Jalan Penang until you arrive at the junction of Jalan Burma. Climb the pedestrian bridge. From the bridge, you can get a good view of Loke Thye Kee.
If you're going to Penang, you now have the option of finding accommodation in a hotel, or look for one in hostels and guesthouses. To book a room in a star-rated hotel, use the Penang Hotel Guide for Budget Travelers. To find accommodation in a Hostel or Guesthouse, use the Penang Guide to Hostels and Guesthouses. Each link provides detailed listing of the type of accommodation you can expect in Penang. Be aware that you get what you pay for. If you need a certain degree of comfort, then a star-rated hotel may be an ideal option for you. On the other hand, if you are able to forego a bit of creature comfort, then hostels and guesthouses are clean, safe, and incredibly good value for money. For accommodation in other destinations, visit Hotel Guide for Budget Travelers or Hostels & Guesthouses Accommodation Guide.
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